How Do You Record Shop Notes/Details?
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Most of the time I take notes on my phone. Sometimes I ask the person if they mind if I take notes. Sometimes I ask if they mind if a take a photograph. Depends on the shop. Sometimes I use the voice memo app to record.
I would not use a notebook. I tried that and did not work for me.
I would not use a notebook. I tried that and did not work for me.
I use a small slip of paper that I place under my wallet and/or phone, which are on the table with me during food shops. I'll occasionally bring a magazine (to pretend I'm reading it) and then literally write my notes right into the magazine (on some specified page - often with shop survey headings written in to cue me in on what to record). I wait for the server to leave my table, peak around to make sure no staff are watching, and then quickly open the magazine or take my slip of paper out from my phone/wallet and then write a timing or note down.
For people who use your phones, do you have some app you use to type stuff into? Where can you just open type anything you want to make notes?
For people who use your phones, do you have some app you use to type stuff into? Where can you just open type anything you want to make notes?
I mostly text to myself. Sometimes I sneak in photos so that I can give a good description later. I carry a piece of paper folded into 1/4 in my purse with a pen, so that if needed I can go into the bathroom and write some notes down. I use my texting app, the benefit of texting to myself is that I just look like I'm texting, and it's backed up on the cloud in case something happens to my phone.
Shoptastic,
Maybe YOU could take two minutes of YOUR time to search for one of the many available apps. Then YOU could decide for YOURSELF which is best.
That, or you could keep up the relentless stream of questions as you fish for replies.
Maybe YOU could take two minutes of YOUR time to search for one of the many available apps. Then YOU could decide for YOURSELF which is best.
That, or you could keep up the relentless stream of questions as you fish for replies.
OK - I'll bite. I have taken a magazine or crossword puzzle before - and jotted notes in the margins or right in the puzzle while eating. No one seemed to notice at all... I also have done the run to the restroom to jot notes on a notecard in my purse thing...
Phone: I used to text notes to myself. It works, especially for someone just starting out to see if they even like ms'ing (timings captured to the minute). Another 'free' thing is to type an email or something, and snap a screenshot to record the time. Then send the email to yourself to edit on your computer after the shop. I'm not naturally stealthy but more techy, so as many of you know I created an app that looks like texting but saves notes/photos, etc all time-stamped to the second. Of course that's my choice to use now.
Phone: I used to text notes to myself. It works, especially for someone just starting out to see if they even like ms'ing (timings captured to the minute). Another 'free' thing is to type an email or something, and snap a screenshot to record the time. Then send the email to yourself to edit on your computer after the shop. I'm not naturally stealthy but more techy, so as many of you know I created an app that looks like texting but saves notes/photos, etc all time-stamped to the second. Of course that's my choice to use now.
Lynn; Developer - Mystery "Shop-It" Timer and Stealth Notes Phone App for iPhone and Android
Video Demo: [youtu.be]
(posting with permission)
Video Demo: [youtu.be]
(posting with permission)
I use Evernote's various functions as much as possible, I can keep stuff fairly organized and it helps with recall when I am about to do the report.
I just use the notes section of my phone in my iPhone, it works like a charm. Never tried anything else but everyone's ideas are interesting.
I love this app (Shop It) and use it all the time.@dkdshop wrote:
OK - I'll bite. I have taken a magazine or crossword puzzle before - and jotted notes in the margins or right in the puzzle while eating. No one seemed to notice at all... I also have done the run to the restroom to jot notes on a notecard in my purse thing...
Phone: I used to text notes to myself. It works, especially for someone just starting out to see if they even like ms'ing (timings captured to the minute). Another 'free' thing is to type an email or something, and snap a screenshot to record the time. Then send the email to yourself to edit on your computer after the shop. I'm not naturally stealthy but more techy, so as many of you know I created an app that looks like texting but saves notes/photos, etc all time-stamped to the second. Of course that's my choice to use now.
I've used Evernote on my phone as well. If I'm doing a route, I'll get in my car afterwards and start a new note for the location and use voice-to-text to quickly summarize what happened. While performing the shop, I have also texted myself, Facebook messaged my husband, wrote in my checkbook registry, and wrote in the margins on a coupon sheet.
Administrative Manager for Shoppers' View
p: 800.264.5677 | e: christinew@shoppersview.com | w: www.shoppersview.com
p: 800.264.5677 | e: christinew@shoppersview.com | w: www.shoppersview.com
I use Google Keep to take notes. I give each shop a name and then during the shop, I open that note and start typing. I can also add pictures to it. If I'm doing a bank shop, I'll type the banker's specifics into the note, and add a picture of the rate sheet. To the banker, he just thinks I'm taking notes on our discussion.
@shoptastic wrote:
For people who use your phones, do you have some app you use to type stuff into? Where can you just open type anything you want to make notes?
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I am old fashioned and text myself names with timings under the name, then will go to restroom and continue, but i do remember things quite well, to my surprise. Not big on using a ton of app's.
Live consciously....
@ewalsh wrote:
I use Evernote's various functions as much as possible, I can keep stuff fairly organized and it helps with recall when I am about to do the report.
I use Evernote, too. I created templates to use for regular shops, such as grocery stores. For others I have notes to remind myself of things I might forget.
Text myself. If it is a grocery store I takes notes on my grocery list.
This is a forum and people are welcome to ask questions. If you don't like that, then don't reply.
@roxy1 wrote:
Shoptastic,
Maybe YOU could take two minutes of YOUR time to search for one of the many available apps. Then YOU could decide for YOURSELF which is best.
That, or you could keep up the relentless stream of questions as you fish for replies.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Sheesh, roxy1!@roxy1 wrote:
Shoptastic,
Maybe YOU could take two minutes of YOUR time to search for one of the many available apps. Then YOU could decide for YOURSELF which is best.
That, or you could keep up the relentless stream of questions as you fish for replies.
This isn't even my thread!!! I asked ONE question that I'm sure would be helpful to the OP and newbies (or even "oldies"??
). And that was after giving suggestions to OP.
I have done most of the above mentioned items. Another things that I have started doing recently is as soon as I get away from the shop, I begin reading my answeres to the questionaire on my phone recorder. This way, while it is all fresh, I can go over it quickly and not have to write it down or enter into tablet right away. Many times I do not need to refer to it since after I saiy it, it helps me to cement it. Then I can go on to the next job without spending a lot of time entering data. Also, I get pertinant details down and have no surpises later when I eneter the report.
TinaMarie
I switched to OneNote when Evernote limited the number of devices. All of my notes go there though.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I text myself or my partner random tidbits that I may forget later. I also record almost every shop using the "easy voice recorder" app. Note: the standard voice memo apps on many phones are OK, but they may stop recording/give an error message if you get an incoming or place an outgoing call while recording a shop. "Easy Voice Recorder" only stops recording if you close all of your apps. It helps with timing certain aspects, names and helps to remember exactly what the associate says. I am waiting for the day that a MSC emails me to say, "According to the client's associate, you didn't say this. Shop failed." Presto! Here's the recording. 
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2017 03:55PM by timgordon2448.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2017 03:55PM by timgordon2448.
I'm real old fashion, I use a 3 x 5 pad of paper in my pocketbook to take notes. I keep the original form in my car and add in notes to the form. Works for me! I get 10s on almost all my narratives. I'm not an app person like Irene.
Edit; I have a vivid visual memory, I am an artist and see what I need to see in minutes or less. I study the Guidelines just before the shop and make notes of the important timings.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2017 05:33PM by shopper8.
Edit; I have a vivid visual memory, I am an artist and see what I need to see in minutes or less. I study the Guidelines just before the shop and make notes of the important timings.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2017 05:33PM by shopper8.
I didn't know that someone could own a thread. your reputation of asking never ending questions has followed u around the forum. can't u tell that many peeps are fed up?@shoptastic wrote:
Sheesh, roxy1!@roxy1 wrote:
Shoptastic,
Maybe YOU could take two minutes of YOUR time to search for one of the many available apps. Then YOU could decide for YOURSELF which is best.
That, or you could keep up the relentless stream of questions as you fish for replies.
This isn't even my thread!!! I asked ONE question that I'm sure would be helpful to the OP and newbies (or even "oldies"??
I hope this isn't getting too off-topic, but one reason I'm very hesitant to download apps is because of the terms and conditions that can sign away your rights to things involving privacy.
CBC Marketplace had this episode that showed how many apps can include a clause allowing them to spy on you by turning on your phone's camera to take pictures, voice record you, video record you, view your ALL your text message, etc.:
[www.youtube.com]
It's scary and the participants are shocked in this episode. You could be sitting in a cafe shop and suddenly your phone is accessed by the company who made the app to record everything you do. You could be in bed and suddenly your phone turns on to record you. ALL your text messages are viewable by an app maker if you don't read the terms and conditions and understand them properly and sign on to it unknowingly. Not all will do that to you, but some could slip in invasion of privacy clauses into your terms, since they know most people won't read them.
I don't have any apps on my phone, except what it came with. Paper and pen work for me. I am now using a magazine and pen a bit more often. Magazines look normal too, as people do bring reading material to food establishments. I don't use that method for 5 Guys, but I do it elsewhere.
CBC Marketplace had this episode that showed how many apps can include a clause allowing them to spy on you by turning on your phone's camera to take pictures, voice record you, video record you, view your ALL your text message, etc.:
[www.youtube.com]
It's scary and the participants are shocked in this episode. You could be sitting in a cafe shop and suddenly your phone is accessed by the company who made the app to record everything you do. You could be in bed and suddenly your phone turns on to record you. ALL your text messages are viewable by an app maker if you don't read the terms and conditions and understand them properly and sign on to it unknowingly. Not all will do that to you, but some could slip in invasion of privacy clauses into your terms, since they know most people won't read them.
I don't have any apps on my phone, except what it came with. Paper and pen work for me. I am now using a magazine and pen a bit more often. Magazines look normal too, as people do bring reading material to food establishments. I don't use that method for 5 Guys, but I do it elsewhere.
@shoptastic wrote:
one reason I'm very hesitant to download apps is because of the terms and conditions that can sign away your rights to things involving privacy.
You can go into an app's settings and control what permissions it has. Just turn off any unnecessary permissions.
@Threemom wrote:
@shoptastic wrote:
one reason I'm very hesitant to download apps is because of the terms and conditions that can sign away your rights to things involving privacy.
You can go into an app's settings and control what permissions it has. Just turn off any unnecessary permissions.
I have never had a privacy issue with any of the apps I have downloaded. I guess that I just don't have anything interesting for them to snoop at. ha ha. I prefer using an app when I can. Otherwise, handwritten notes, texting myself or notes feature on my phone. Depends on the shop. My laptop would be way to restrictive to use on the road. I find that even my iPad is just too big to do this with. I stick to my iPhone.
Shoptastic, I am not an app person, but my Samsung has a note pad that you can just talk to and it will take your notes. Too much time for me!
I use the ShopIt app. It gives me exact timing whether I type something in or just tap the screen for a time spot to be recorded.
The Shop It app is marvelous! Highly recommend it. Also the Developer is happy to help with any issues and he is always improving and updating the app.
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